The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-07-01

| the artlSt, fedenmnS. Cafper Salu
so.n
who's Carper? But even if the
| picture were worth f500, grinned Mr..
| Zerubbabel. 1T wouldn't pay me to
buy it at such a price. But why do
you want to quash the bill of sale?n
II want to be rid of the business, 1t
doesn't suit me to have thing of this
sort hanging over me-in fact it is
against me in my profession, !"
Better find the E2O0 then replied
the money-lender, insolently; but per-
sonally am not fond of buying pigs
in pens, or pictures by unknown
artists, though perhaps other people
may be. 1t is, however, for you to find
them, not for me. Good morning, my
dear sir. Sorry can't oblige YOU
"Horrid old scamp" muttered
Megilp, as he left Zerubbabel' shop and
turned his face westward
mot to be caught by chaff, my fine
shentleman'' commented the amiable
bric-a-brac dealer, turning back into
his dingy abode. ''You don't get off
Your bargain so easily as that. Then
he proceeded to unlock fireproof safe
in the corner of his sanctum, and
| gloated greedily over the documents
reposing therein, documents which
represented some remarkably hard
bargains driven by Mr.. Zerubbabel
with his lawful prey, men in Difficult
ties He was interrupted in this pleas
ant recreation, one in which lie usually
spent any spare moments he could
snatch from business, by the entrance
OF friend and compatriot, one Abiram
Levi, picture-dealer by profession.
After an exchange of amicable greet
ings the two gentlemen spent half an
hour or so in confidential ccnversa-
ton on the state of their respective
trades; then as a. pleasant des@uUre-
H1e1at after this head work, they i'm
bibed several glasses of brandy and
water and smoked as many high-tla-
vored cigars.
| Perhaps Mr.. Levi consumed more
than his fair share of these luxuries, for
in moment of expansion he began to
talk over his business projects for the
coming season.
'lye got q capital thing in view. /
don't mind telling you about it, Ter
ubbabel, my dear boy, for you're not
i'll the same swim, so it doesn't matter.
Have you heard of young Megilp's
academy picture?"
Zerubbabel shook his head. but
leaned forward eagerly, with his cum
ming eyes fixed upon Mr. Lewis flushed
countenance.
'Splendid thing-safe to make u
sensation. | mean to get hold of it
cheap, if can; and as he's only a
young fellow, and apparently hard up,
the chances are shall. y
'SThink the picture really worth hav-
ing?' said Zerubbabel, with a depre-
catory shrug.
''Not q doubt about it. 1ou see its
an attractive subject, and one that is
sure to take the public. They don't
like your grand historic pictures.
They prefer some thing pretty and
pastoral, and that sort of thing. Bet
you what you like that Megilp's pic
ture'll be hung on the line. At all
events, I'm going round to his studio
in a few days to make him an offer
for it."
Mr. Zerubbabel smiled and rubbed
his hands complacently. He had learned
some thing that might be useful to
him.
He didn't get rid of Mr.. Levi until
late in the afternoon, consequently it
was nearly seven o'clock before he
emerged from his shop and stopped
passing bus.
In less than half an hour the bric-a-
brac dealer was set down close to the
Megilp's door The servant who an
swered the bell told him that Mr..
Megilp was dining out that even
ing, and asked if he would see her
mistress.
Thinking lady would be an easier
customer to deal with, Mr.. Zerubbabel
said that he would like to speak to
Mrs. Megilp for few minutes. Ac-
cordingly he was ushered into the
drawing-room, where that lady shortly
joined him.
"YOu have called to see my hus-
band-about the-the bill of SALE" the
little woman began, in frightened
tone.
"Well, yes, ma am, in way Ihave;
but should like to see the picture he
offered me this morning"
1.-The Academy picture?" suggested
Mrs. Megilp, her face Frightening. II
am so sorry; but my husband generally
locks up his studio when he goes out.
Can't you call another day and see itP'
"Oh, yes" answered Mr.. Zerubba-
bel, amiably; 'but as I'm here, / may
as well tell you of the offer l am will
ing to make"
Mrs. Megilp's pretty face beamed
with JOY at the idea of arranging
matters with the money-lender. It
would be such q delightful surprise for
Michael Angelo when he came home
to find that that tiresome business of
the bill of sale had been brought to a
satisfactory conclusion during his alb
sence.
"Mr, Megilp wants to get back his
bill of sale on this furniture?" began
Mr.. Zerubbabel, with circular sweep
of the hands towards the contents of
| the room.
"Yyes," breathed poor Madge, with
SILVER, for she thought that the
odious man looked as if he would like
to carry off her household gods there
and then. All the brightness went out
of her face, and she grew quite pale
''Well, of course my expenses in con-
neetion with this bill have been heavy
very heavy, and my loss, if l let it be
paid off at once, will be great-very
great; in fact, G100 will barely put me
straight" said Mr.. Zerubbabel, in a
buSineSS-like tone scThat added RI